Stress and debt make Sydney a violent city.
Ironically the problems we now find ourselves faced with were partially occasioned by the period of relatively low interest rates that has now passed us by.
People began borrowing money to purchase property (sometimes several), sometimes committing themselves to the hilt, but made little allowance for possible interest rate rises.
Sydney is an angry city with longer working hours, climbing levels of debt and traffic snarls. People are trying to cope with increasing stress that leads to alcohol-fuelled violence and a less tolerant society, a sociologist has warned. James Arvanitakis, from the Centre for Cultural Research at the University of Western Sydney, said Sydneysiders were increasingly feeling the pressures of a competitive society, getting more and more frustrated with everyday annoyances such as public transport delays and feeling increasingly time poor.
I can also relate to public transport delays. What was once a 20 minute commute can sometimes now be 40 to 50 minutes, and I’m only six kilometres from the CBD. Thankfully I only have make the journey two or three days a week presently.
As a Sydneysider living abroad, I noticed the degradation more and more, every time I visit for Christmas. Everything works and looks more and more run down. I could fill a book with al the small and big irritations and grave negligence we are all experiencing. What is most worrisome is all this is happening when we were told “Australians never had it this good”?? Well God help us when this business cycle is over.
What is happening to our political and corporate leaders, who could do many things to improve the situation? Are they proud of this development, or perhaps the lack of it. Are they unaware, to far removed and insulated in their own little world to notice?? Are they proud of this degradation and lack development and how the world sees and judges their performance, for which they have the power to alter??
Considering all the above, I still do not see any proactive discussions, plans or suggestions in the media about what improvements and by whom it should be done, to stop the rout and return the city mentality and values to a more balanced life and human interaction on all levels. Things like basic sense of community, like more respect for each others, like a jovial humbleness that is so unique to Australia, something that used to be respected and valued by all of us and all our overseas friends alike??
Why not open a website with a dialogue for continuous improvement and follow through to the bitter end, until the long overdue changes will start appearing. Bringing back the lost fundamental feel-good factor about living and working in Sydney.
Regards
Frank